PREPARING THE EDITOR

Here's a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you prepare a hard drive and an Adobe Premiere project file before passing it off to our editor. Proper preparation saves time and money by reducing editing time and ensuring the final film aligns with your vision.

1. FIRST STEPS

  • Purchase at least two hard drives with enough space to hold your project's media, leaving about 20% of the storage available before passing the drive to the editor.

1. Prepare Your Hard Drive

  • Purchase and format two hard drives with enough space to store all your media files, leaving about 20% of the storage available. Make sure your footage is backed up on at least two identical hard drives. I recommend the Seagate Exos Enterprise HDD. This will also require the use of a Dual Drive Bay, which is our preferred way to archive projects.

  • Create a backup: Ensure you have two identical hard drives for redundancy. The folder structure and root files need to remain identical throughout post-production. We recommend using Visual Differ to make sure that the drives are 100% mirrored.

2. Create the Folder Structure

  • If you have a preferred folder structure for the film already, make sure to organize all media into clearly labeled folders, using a consistent naming convention. A clean folder structure helps to keep all files organized and easily accessible, which is crucial for efficient video editing and project management.

  • If you do not have a preferred folder structure, begin by opening the project folder structure by clicking the link below. Copy and paste this folder structure into your hard drive. Rename all folders appropriately to fit your project. You can find the Premiere Project Template under PROJECTNAME > 01_PROJECT_FILES > 01_PREMIERE_PRO.

3. PREMIERE PROJECT SETUP

1. FOOTAGE IMPORT

  • Import all necessary raw footage into the appropriate folders in Premiere, ensuring it's organized in the correct media bins.

  • Make sure your footage is backed up on at least two identical hard drives. I recommend the Seagate Exos Enterprise HDD. This will also require the use of a Dual Drive Bay, which is our preferred way to archive projects.

  • RED R3D files require being imported via the Media Browser in Adobe Premiere to properly add them to the project.

  • If working remotely, we can utilize Dropbox or Google Drive to send and receive files that need to be added to both drives as they are introduced throughout the editing process.

2. SCRIPT AND NOTES

  • Include the script or storyboard on the hard drive for reference. This can also be shared digitally through a shared Google Doc.

  • Provide detailed notes or a director’s cut guide within the project, identifying the vision, key moments, and any specific instructions.

3. GRAPHICS AND VISUAL ELEMENTS

  • Import any necessary graphics, titles, and lower thirds. Ensure all graphics are organized in separate bins and labeled appropriately.

4. SYNC AUDIO AND VIDEO

Syncing audio and video files in Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 can be done using several methods, depending on the type of footage and audio you are working with.

Here are the primary ways to sync audio and video:

Manual Syncing

  • Drag and Drop: Place your audio and video clips onto the timeline. Manually align the audio waveform with the video by dragging the clips to match visual cues, such as claps or lip movements.

Using the Merge Clips Feature

  • Select the audio and video clips in the Project panel that you want to sync.

  • Right-click and choose "Merge Clips".

  • In the Merge Clips dialog box, choose the method of synchronization (e.g., based on In Points, Out Points, Timecode, or Audio).

  • Click OK to merge the clips into a new, synchronized clip.

Using the Synchronize Feature in the Timeline

  • Place the video and audio clips on the timeline.

  • Select both the video and audio clips.

  • Right-click and choose "Synchronize".

  • In the Synchronize dialog box, choose the method of synchronization (e.g., based on Clip Start, Clip End, Timecode, or Audio).

  • Click OK to sync the clips.

Using Multi-Camera Sequence for Multi-Cam Shoots

  • Select all the clips you want to include in the multi-camera sequence.

  • Right-click and choose "Create Multi-Camera Source Sequence".

  • In the Create Multi-Camera Source Sequence dialog box, select the synchronization method (e.g., Audio, Timecode, In Points, Out Points).

  • Click OK to create a new multi-camera sequence with synchronized clips.

Using Adobe Sensei Auto Sync

  • Import your audio and video files into the Project panel.

  • Select the audio and video clips you want to sync.

  • Right-click and choose "Auto Sync Using Adobe Sensei".

  • Adobe Sensei will automatically analyze and sync the audio and video files.

Third-Party Plugins

  • You can also use third-party plugins or software that integrate with Adobe Premiere Pro for advanced syncing features. Examples include PluralEyes by Red Giant, which provides robust audio and video synchronization tools.

Tips for Effective Syncing:

  • Clap or Use a Slate: For manual syncing, using a clap or a slate at the beginning of the recording helps align audio and video easily.

  • Consistent Timecode: Ensure that your camera and audio recording devices are set to the same timecode if you plan to use timecode for synchronization.

  • Clear Audio: Ensure the audio recorded with the video has clear reference sound to aid in syncing, especially when using audio-based synchronization.

These methods offer flexibility for different project needs and can significantly speed up your editing workflow in Adobe Premiere Pro 2024.

  • As you upload media from each shoot day, create a sequence with video and audio synced in the timeline. Label that sequence appropriately and lock each layer in the timeline.

  • Duplicate the synced sequence and cut an assembly of strings from the day. Also, feel free to add markers with notes for the editor.

5. ROUGH CUT / ASSEMBLY

  • If you are comfortable doing so, create a rough cut or assembly of the footage to provide a basic structure and flow of the video. Include any specific scenes or takes that must be used, and mark any areas where changes or additional footage are needed.

6. MEDIA MANAGEMENT

  • Backup all your footage and project files before handing them over. Ensure you have at least two mirrored hard drives, one for yourself and one for the editor. These should be identical in every way. This way, the editor can send you an updated project file and you can see the project in real time from your remote location and the root files will connect.

  • Remove any unnecessary files or assets to keep the project file clean. Ensure the project is optimized and free of errors.

  • Before passing the hard drive to the editor, verify that all media files are properly linked and there are no missing files. Ensure all media is stored in a centralized, easily accessible location.

7. COMMUNICATION AND HANDOVER

  • Prepare a handover document summarizing the project status, key points, and any outstanding tasks.

  • Give one hard drive to the editor and keep one hard drive for yourself.

  • Schedule a meeting or call with the editor to walk through the project and address any questions.

By following these steps, the director ensures a smooth transition and helps the editor understand the director's vision clearly, saving significant time and effort in the editing process.